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Short Story: The UAlbany basketball team won its seventh consecutive game Wednesday, defeating Vermont on Commitment to Education Day.

Coach Mac: “I loved the energy in the gym. I think our players fed off of it. I wish we could get that kind of crowd every game. We love to pack this building and feel that adrenaline and energy on the floor. We came out pretty focused defensively and did some good things. I think we could have converted more on the turnovers we forced. I think our inside players were a big presence inside, and Vermont had a hard time handling them in the post. To Vermont’s credit, I think they matched our intensity for the entire game.”

Key Stats

UAlbany forced six turnovers in the first quarter leading to seven points

After giving up the first four, UAlbany scored 16 of the next 22 points, while Vermont shot 0-6

UAlbany ended the first quarter on a 15-2 run

Toward the end of the second quarter, UAlbany forced turnovers on four consecutive Vermont possessions

The teams combined for 10 total points through the first eight minutes of the second quarter

Vermont ended the third quarter on an 8-2 run

UAlbany opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run

Jessica Féquière hit back-to-back threes to put UAlbany up 17 with 7:20 left in the fourth

Recap

Returning to SEFCU following a 2-0 road trip, the University at Albany women’s basketball team hosted Vermont for Wednesday morning for Commitment to Education Day. The Great Danes won their seventh straight game, defeating the Catamounts 67-55.

UAlbany has tied their longest winning streak of the season, having previously won seven straight from December 3-30. The last time UAlbany lost was the conference opener on January 3 at Hartford. With this victory over Vermont, the Great Danes have navigated the first half of the America East schedule with a record of 7-1.

The Great Danes played a special early tipoff Wednesday in front of nearly 2,000 middle and elementary school students from 15 schools in the surrounding area. It is the 12th year that UAlbany has hosted Commitment to Education Day, and the second consecutive season they have played Vermont for the event.

Vermont opened up quickly, scoring the first four points of the game. Tiana-Jo Carter got UAlbany on the board two minutes into the game with a layup to cut the Catamounts’ lead in half. After the brief opening run for Vermont, UAlbany scored 16 of the next 22 points, and ended the quarter on a 15-2 run.

In the first quarter, UAlbany forced six Catamount turnovers, converting the opportunities into seven points.

Scoring came at a premium for most of the second half. Vermont quickly scored the first four points of the quarter once again, but with two minutes to go in the half both teams had combined for just 10 total points. In the final two minutes the teams combined for eight points.

Mackenzie Trpcic led the way for UAlbany through the first half with eight points and four assists. Carter led with four rebounds.

Trpcic set up Jessica Féquière for a three with 9:28 left in the third quarter, recording her 122nd assist of the season, which tied Zakiya Saunders’ sophomore class record set in the 2014-15 season. With 5:49 left, Trpcic assisted on Chyanna Canada’s jumper from the top of the key, giving her sole possession of the sophomore record. She would finish the game with 127 assists on the season

UAlbany led by as many as 15 late in the third, but Vermont closed the quarter on an 8-2 run to maintain their nine-point deficit.

UAlbany opened the fourth quarter on an 8-0 run, extending their lead to 17 with 7:20 to go after consecutive three-pointers from Féquière. Trpcic recorded her 10th assist of the game with 4:48 left in the fourth to put UAlbany up 18, their largest lead of the night.

Vermont would come back within 10 points but no further for the remainder of the game. UAlbany went on to win 67-55. The Great Danes outscored Vermont 32-22 in the paint, 17-9 off of turnovers, 9-0 in fast break points, and 19-11 in bench points.

Féquière led UAlbany with 15 points, while Trpcic and Carter each scored 10. Trpcic recorded her first career double-double

Next: UAlbany hosts a second straight home game on Saturday, January 27 when they will play Stony Brook to start the second round of the America East schedule.